Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will sign a decree formally recognising the independence of two breakaway regions of Eastern Ukraine.
Moscow will treat Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states, no longer part of Ukrainian territory.
The move torpedoes the Minsk Agreements that sought to end war in the Donbas region…and sparks a real possibility of conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
President Putin made the announcement in an address to the nation…the simultaneous translation here comes from Kremlin propaganda channel RT.
IN: "They admit…."
OUT: "….near future"
DUR: 40 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0221putin-recognition1.mp3
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The Russian leader asserted that Ukraine is governed by a puppet government controlled by the West.
He said Kyiv wants to develop nuclear weapons that could threaten Russia.
He railed against NATO’s expansion and said the alliance was intent on containing Russia.
And he warned Russians to expect the imposition of western sanctions in the days ahead.
The simultaneous translation comes from Kremlin propaganda broadcaster RT.
IN: “They will always…..”
OUT: “…and our values”
DUR: 28 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0221putin-recognition2.mp3